Numerous studies have examined the relationship between parental psychological control and social anxiety among children and adolescents; however, findings are inconsistent, and existing hypotheses are conflicting. Hence, this study employed three-level meta-analyses to clarify the association between parental psychological control and social anxiety in children and adolescents. After searching and screening the literature, this meta-analysis included a total of 36 studies, with 192 effect sizes and 29,815 participants. The results showed a positive correlation between parental psychological control and social anxiety in children and adolescents. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that the gender of the parent, cultural, type of social anxiety, type of parental psychological control, and publication year significantly moderated this relationship. Specifically, the findings suggested a closer link between maternal psychological control and social anxiety compared to paternal psychological control. Parental psychological control was found to be more strongly associated with social anxiety in Eastern cultures. parental psychological control showed a closer relationship with fear of negative evaluation and social avoidance and distress in general situations, compared to social avoidance and distress in unfamiliar situations. Authority assertion and love withdrawal were more closely connected with social anxiety than guilt induction. Additionally, the analysis indicated that over time, the association between parental psychological control and social anxiety has become stronger.